Issue 112 March/April 2022
What good is a world, That’s bent on destruction. And who needs this life, If we’re here just to die. The worry goes from small in the city. To big in the nation. When will you decide to put those weapons down.
We generally quote a few lyrics at the beginning of the editorial, really just a bit of fun more than anything. It almost seems disrespectful to quote lyrics at this time. We looked and looked for something apt and couldn’t find anything, then we found something on our own door step.
The Bridewell Taxi’s Whole Damn Nation from 1990. Great lyrics from local lad Mick Roberts.
At the time of writing, our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, we hope by the time you read this the war has stopped but somehow we doubt it with a monster holed up in the Kremlin.
Peace & Love.
God Bless The Ukraine and its people.
All at East Leeds Magazine
Issue 111 – February 2022
I just wanna roll my sleeves up and start again. OneRepublic – Start Again, quite apt as we’re half way through February and it sometimes feels we need a giant reset button on the world. Local musician Luke Flear must feel like he’s starting again,. like all musician’s Luke’s had a difficult last two years although he’s young enough and talented enough to still be the success he deserves to be.
Not exactly starting again, but there if you need them, Crossgates Community hub give us an update from the last issue.
Warren explains why we the local deer population has exploded and film maker and/or boxing coach Lee Murtagh on filming his latest movie. Alan explains why second hand cars are worth more in Spain than the UK although we seem to be doing our best to catch up.
Issue 110 – January 2022
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye. Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? Tangerine Dream’s Tyger from 1989. There’s a certain symmetry to issue 110 being the first issue of 2022. And according to the Chinese Zodiac, 2022, the year of the water tiger will bring about positive change. And angel number 110 is a very powerful spirit number and a reminder to have faith not only in yourself but in your guardian angels. Which all sounds very positive after a difficult last two years for just about everybody. Maybe a few guardian angels have already arrived in the form of the Crossgates and Whinmoor Community Hub which is based in the Arndale (Crossgates Shopping Centre to give it’s Sunday name.) The hub is managed by Cross Gates Good Neighbours Scheme CIO through Leeds City Council and is something really positive for the area. Happy New Year from all at ELM
Issue 109 – December 2021
Blow, northerne wind, Send thou me my sweating. Blow, northerne wind, Blow, blow, blow! Ichot a burde in bowre bright. That sully semly is on sight. Menskful maiden of might. Fair and fre to fonde, In all this wurhliche won. A burde of blod and of bon, Never yet I nuste non. Lussomore in lode. Ancient English text, an old traditional poem brought to life by the magnificent Mediæval Bæbes on their ‘A Medieval Christmas’ album. And they’re gracing Leeds on 10th of December at what should be a truly special concert. We’ve a competition for two tickets, have a look at the article on page 32. Which kind of reminds us, we are approaching that time of year again. With the cancellation of the lights switch on and the German market, Alan C’s come up with a great alternative. And Lee Murtagh’s found himself with a bit of spare time over the winter months, so he’s busy making another film, ‘for the laugh!’ And they say laughter is the best medicine, so as we approach another Covid affected yuletide, it’s probably just as well to say Merry Christmas and a very, very Happy New Year, from all at East Leeds Mag.
Issue 108 – October 2021
I’m just a man who’s battling with his mind. One hundred and eight battles within the Minds forever changing what you began Life’s a waste of time, Battle with your mind.
Kula Shaker‘s ‘108 Battles’ from their Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts album in 1999. A sacred number for many Eastern religions, In Buddhism, this number is reached by multiplying the senses smell, touch, taste, sight and hearing, with positive & negative, past & present …6 × 3 × 2 × 3 = 108.
There are 108 pressure points in the human body. 108°F is the internal temperature at which our body’s organs begin to overheat. The distance of Earth from the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Sun. The distance between the Earth and the Moon is also about 108 times the diameter of the Moon. In Homer’s Odyssey, the number of suitors coveting Penelope, wife of Odysseus was 108. There are 108 outlaws in the Chinese classic the Water Margin and there are108 lines in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”. And, this is the 108 issue of ELM.
Thanks, a 108 times, from all at ELM and a 108 thanks to Mark Hillyer – truenorthuk.com for cover photo. Oh, and a 108 thanks to Ann for editing.
Issue 107 – September 2021
Show me the way, To the next whiskey bar. Oh, don’t ask why, Oh, don’t ask why. For if we don’t find, The next whiskey bar. I tell you we must die, I tell you we must die.
The words of a German poem written by Berthold Brecht.Kurt Weill adapted it as a song in 1929 for the opera City of Mahagonny and it was later performed by his wife Lotte Lenya and she included it in the US release of her ‘Berlin Theatre Songs’ album where it was picked up about 50 years later by the Doors who immortalized it on their debut album.
The general perception is this was a Doors original, penned by Jim Morrison, but sometimes the truth can ‘be stranger than fiction. As Lee Murtagh found out recently as his friend Steve Ward, the oldest active boxer in the world, prepared to hang up his gloves, but not before his final ‘Legends title fight.’ Alan C is also a bit bewildered by the Covid 2 & 8 tests whilst Abel tells us about his Grandma’s struggles with pain and finally Warren Enters the Dragon Fly.
Issue 106 – August 2021
Born free, As free as the wind blows.
As free as the grass grows.
Born free to follow your heart.
Live free, And beauty surrounds you.
The world still astounds you.
Each time you look at a star.
Born Free…Matt Monro in 1966 or Andy Williams in ‘68, the choice is yours!
As our ‘Freedom Day’ came and went and let’s face it nobody really knew what they were doing, we got round to thinking about hobbies and outdoor theatre and rounders, as you do. Alan C was more concerned about Mike and Bernie Winters and Lee Murtagh was busy with a legends title fight in that well known seaside resort of Mansfield.
Issue 105 – July 2021
Oh baby baby what can I do, You know you drive me crazy when I’m looking at you.
The summer’s really here and it’s time to come out, Time to discover what fun is about.
Here comes the summer,
Here comes the summer.
The mighty Undertones from 1979, whatever happened to Feargal Sharkey? It was the Undertones fourth single and it was their shortest.
One minute and 45 seconds of pure bliss!
And as we move towards summer, hopefully, things are returning to normal.
After months on hold, Lee’s finally hoping to get a show back on and Warren warns us…look after the bees and they will look after us.
Thanks for reading!
Issue 104 – June 2021
I’m a happy man an, I’m a happy man, Yeah yeah an, I’m a happy man, Come on down and sing the song, Sing it just-a one more time.
The Great Jive Five & the Incredible voice of the late Mr. Eugene Pitt. Well you might have noticed Abel’s a happy man as he celebrates 10 years of peddling drugs to the good people of East Leeds! Not so happy is Alan C in Sunny Spain who can’t get hold of a tin of baked beans for love nor money!
And while we were all stuck at home and concentrating more on eating pies and chocolate, Warren was out and about watching Otters and Lee Murtagh who knocked a film up ‘for something to do’ is now preparing for his first show since 2019, meanwhile Roy Norcliffe’s busy with an Ipswich based avian problem.
Issue 103 – May 2021
“I’m free to do what I want any old time,
I said I’m free to do what I want any old time,
I say love me, hold me,
Love me, hold me,
‘Cause I’m free to do what I want any old time,
And I’m free to be who I choose any old time.”
The Soup Dragons with a Rolling Stones cover in 1990.
And at last we are seeing some form of freedom. And we’re free to do whatever we want as long as it’s outside! And while we’re at it, it’s time for a brew and if anyone wants to mix art, a nice cuppa and a historical setting then have a look on page 34 and local artist Sandy Holden. And if that’s not your thing and you prefer a nice ice cream during the summer months then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a community ice cream van doing the rounds, set up by a cross section of local groups.
And it’s nice to see all the usual columnists back, Abel, Lee, Warren, and Alan C and a special mention to Quincy who starred in the East Leeds gangster movie Straight’ner and won the Jump Cuts Best Young Actor award, he even ended up on Radio Leeds.